In 2010, I commissioned a poem from Jacqueline Suskin at her Poem Store. The prompt was Sagittarius.
I still love this poem. It reminds me of my last full year in Los Angeles, the year I decided to move to Berlin, and I think it perfectly captures that moment. What a time that was – so turbulent and uncertain!
Please check out Jacqueline’s work. It’s fantastic!
Here’s Joel Isaac Black in 2011, masterfully using a vintage Akai sampler. You can hear the sampler at the top of our song “Everyone But You” off of our self-titled debut album. The album was recorded at The Cave Studio in L.A. with Josiah Mazzaschi producing. Josiah was wonderful to work with and entertained every half-decent idea. When we approached him about sampling monkey sounds at the top of a song, he was on board. Joel and I played the cheeky monkeys, and if you know us, that makes a lot of sense.
The sunset strip wasn’t really our scene, but in 2009, when the The Cribs and Johnny Marr called, we came running. The Roxy is a legendary L.A. venue, and a stopping point for huge acts, so it was exciting for us to play there. Naturally, we tore it up.
2011: Fresh off the airplane and into the Keller. Joel Isaac Black comes in from Dallas and we put together a band, consisting of Jack Wharton and Adam Neal of Eight Legs. Afterwards, we DJ with Dyan Valdes at one of White Trаsh Fast Food ‘s legendary indie parties. We quickly learned that we weren’t in L.A. anymore. The night raged on. Check out the photo evidence below.
It was wonderful to grab coffee with radio giant Mark Sovel today at HEIDE’s Deli. The Blood Arm used to religiously listen to the station he ran, Indie 103.1, and his show with Steve Jones of Sex Pistols, Jonesy’s Jukebox, back when we lived in L.A. He interviewed us, played our music and acted as a conduit for the scene out there. He’s an absolute legend and I’m honored to be wearing matching t-shirts in this photo. Thank you, Mark.
Throwback Thursday to The Make-Up at L.A.’s The Troubadour when I was twenty years old. They were untouchable. For me, Ian Svenonius is still the best frontman in the biz. And Michelle Mae is easily the coolest bassist I’ve ever seen.
Back in L.A. there are parties dedicated to Morrissey and The Smiths at venues around town. For October’s Selfie Playlist, I wanted to capture those feelings of youthful abandon, togetherness and community that those parties represent. So, imagine you are on the dance floor of The Echo in Los Angeles, beer in hand, surrounded by Latinxs with pompadours, shouting along to lyrics about violence and poetry in Manchester, England. Then press play.
Selfie Playlist 3: Morrissey Dance Party
1. London – The Smiths 2. Glamorous Glue – Morrissey 3. The Last of the Famous International Playboys – Morrissey 4. Rusholme Ruffians – The Smiths 5. Vicar in a Tutu – The Smiths 6. Something is Squeezing My Skull – Morrissey 7. First of the Gang to Die – Morrissey 8. Ask – The Smiths 9. I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me – Morrissey 10. Sing Your Life – Live at KROQ – Morrissey 11. Sister I’m a Poet – Morrissey 12. Hand in Glove – The Smiths 13. Suedehead – Morrissey
Here are a few shots of the Bountiful Hearts recording at Josiah Mazzaschi’s The Cave, back in L.A., October 2010. This is the lineup that helped me develop the songs on Thee Nathaniel Fregoso & the Bountiful Hearts. Randy Billings, Becky Gebhardt and Joel Isaac Black are all extremely talented musicians who poured their energy and magic into the album and made it something special. Listen to it this Friday on your favorite streaming service via R.I.P. Ben Lee Records.